Fuzhou, the capital city of Fujian Province, is expected to open its first funeral and interment 24-hour helpline in January 2015, using the number 968533, according to the Fuzhou Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau.

The multi-functional helpline can be used as an official channel for consultation, entrustment, and social help, as well as lodging complaints regarding funeral services, said Chen Kai, an official from the Full Life Funeral and Interment Service Center.

All services provided by the helpline are under supervision by the authority, Chen added.

The helpline, initiated by the Fuzhou Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau, is taking a further step to regulate the funeral and interment market, in the light of its successful precedents in major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Kunming and Chongqing.